Chapter 9: The Waking of the Beast
xXx
"You've been rather distant and gloomy lately," Severus commented. Professor Slughorn had them filing old papers under a new system that was entirely of his own making; one that made no sense whatsoever to either boy. He glanced at them from time to time, hardly trusting them out of his sight after the incident with his desk the previous week. Sirius and Severus sat at the back of the room in near silence as they worked their way through dozens of dusty, yellowing boxes.
"Afraid of becoming an old man of sixteen?" Again Severus tried to bridge the gap with his paramour while sorting receipts for Slughorn's ingredients for Confusing and Befuddlement Drafts.
"Hmm?" Sirius was staring out the Potions class window. If he craned his neck he could just make out the top of the Quidditch field and the players circling on their brooms. Gryffindor against Hufflepuff, and it was Gryriffindor's last chance to make it to the House Cup this year. The winner would play Ravenclaw to vie against Slytherin. Sirius saw a red clad player take a bludger and fall out of view. He groaned inwardly. If James lost today—
"Perhaps if you actually did some of the work instead of skiving off, we may get through this with time enough for you to get down there," Severus said.
"Mmmm."
"Or perhaps you'd prefer if I would just get down on my knees and suck you dry."
Sirius nearly lost his footing; he had spun around so quickly. "Are you drunk? Slughorn's right here!"
Severus sneered with a bravado that only he seemed to posses at the moment. "I suppose old Sluggy can watch." His voice grew louder with each word. "If that's alright with you, Professor. That is, if you're not too busy stuffing your stupid, ugly gullet with cakes or giving us outdated and seriously misguided facts in class, you duffer!"
Sirius felt ready to faint waiting for the potions master's response. He waited. When nothing happened Sirius dared a glance at the front desk. Slughorn was busy with his papers, and his sugar coated pineapple slices.
"Has he gone deaf?" Sirius whispered. "Or… you don't suppose he wants to, you know, watch?"
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, exacerbated. "I believe it would spoil his appetite for life. Mine too, come to think of it."
"So how come he hasn't banished us into the Forbbiden Forest by now?"
"He isn't deaf. Not permanently, at least. Basically we can say anything we like and all he will be able to hear from our direction is a white noise."
Sirius broke into a wide grin. "You're joking. I've never heard of a spell that could do that. Another one of your inventions?"
The Slytherin sat up a bit straighter with pride. "It is."
"Brilliant! You could be a Marauder with brains like that!"
Severus made a face. "Perish the thought of being sorted amongst you lot."
"I didn't even hear you say a spell, or see you use your wand for that matter."
Severus' grin grew until he was lit from ear to ear. "I have been practicing my non-verbal, wandless spells. I'm getting better at it, so long as I concentrate and keep up my strength." He pulled out an apple from his pocket and bit into it. "I've also put a small glamour around us, so he will only see us hard at work. We could walk around completely stalkers if we felt inclined."
Sirius frowned. He remembered James accusing Severus of being a Dark wizard. He cares too much about the Dark Arts, and Merlin knows we've seen enough of the curses he's invented himself. That's what he's like. He's no good for you.
Severus was now doubled over a box and digging through old folders, his face hidden behind his hair. "I was only kidding about walking around naked, you know." He was speaking very fast and not looking at Sirius at all. "As if I'd ever stoop so low. Not that I have such little faith in my own spell work. It's unflawed, I tell you. I just don't believe in foolish behavior."
Sirius realized that Severus was flustered. "Wha? You mean you don't want to see me strip?" he pouted.
Severus' shoulders hunched a bit more. "No. No I do not. Just as you obviously have no wish to see me degrade myself—"
"You're right. Who'd want to see you naked?"
Severus threw him a genuinely hurt look.
"I mean… a fellow could go blind from witnessing an arse that white. Like direct sunlight on snow, I imagine."
"I am NOT that pale!" Severus growled, but Sirius could see the grin forming in his eyes.
"Really? Cor! Now I've got to see that beauty. C'mere!"
Sirius caught Severus and mock wrestled him in an attempt to relieve the other boy of his trousers. He ended up pinning the Slytherin to the floor, his body crushing the slightly smaller one underneath him. He could feel every contour of Severus' physical form, the hardness of their groins as they pressed against one another. Sirius could taste apple as their lips met in a long, lingering kiss.
There was some sort of loud commotion from the field, all sorts of yelling and booing. Sirius leapt up and sprinted to the window. The players were nowhere to be seen. What was going on?
"You really miss it, don't you?" Severus ran his hands over Sirius' back. "Pay a bit more attention to the way I prepare potions and you're grades will improve and you can get back on your broom. If you only show some initiative to reach your full potential–"
"So now you're having a go at me too? I don't need this!" Sirius snapped.
"You need a swift kick up the ass sometimes! I can't help but notice that every time I try to help you get all defensive."
"I'm not getting defensive! I'm fine! Everything's fine! Fine fine fine!"
"Black, your attitude is giving me a headache. Do me a favor and drop this self-pity act. Did you and your mates have a row?"
Sirius heard a shout and a loud groan from the field. He wondered which team had failed to score. If only he had been there today the game would have been theirs and he would be celebrating with James and the rest of his mates by now.
"Did you tell them?" asked Severus.
"Yeah, I did and it did not go well, as I told you it would. James hasn't spoken one word to me since." He recalled how James had glared at him just before leaving their room that morning, like Sirius was something revolting. It was the same look James, and Sirius supposed himself included, had reserved for Snape at one time. It really wasn't that long ago, though for Sirius it felt like ages. How had everything in his life changed so much so quickly?
Severus sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Dog. Is it you're being bent or your choice of partners they don't approve of? Since most well educated wizards today are taught to be open minded, I'm guessing it's the later."
Sirius made sure that Slughorn was preoccupied and then brushed his lips against Severus' brow. "I don't give a toss what they think. They don't get it. Idiots even slipped me an antidote for a love potion."
Severus laughed, a bright and strong sound that filled Sirius with joy. "Is that what you thought I was doing in class that day when you accused me of plotting against you?"
"It took me by surprise," Sirius grinned. "The fact that you were Snivelly Snape one moment and then My Dear Brain the next. Deep down I knew I liked blokes, or at least I suspected. I just didn't think my mates would suddenly treat me like a complete stranger."
He thought of Remus and what Peter had said. He'd probably had stepped aside if you had gone to him earlier, before you started to deceive him. Now he was deceiving Remus. He'd already lost James, perhaps forever. Was he going to sacrifice Remus too?
He should just get it over with, he told himself. It was like taking a dose of Skele-grow potion; burned like hell on the way down, but it was a necessary pain. Sure Severus would hate him, maybe even curse him. It would certainly end their Potions partnership, but it was not like lifting his ban would do Sirius any good now anyway. And he would get used to life without Severus again. He would.
"Listen, Brain," he started. "There's something I've got to tell you."
Severus was busy rummaging through his rucksack. After a moment he reappeared with a small parcel, scarlet paper with green twine. "I know that your birthday is still days away but you seem to need some cheering up now." He quickly pulled it back out of reach. "You mustn't laugh."
Sirius eagerly tore into it and uncovered a necklace designed to resemble a dog collar. It was large and made from black leather and decorated with silver studs. The material felt smooth and warm in his hand.
"Merlin's skid marked skivvies! This is great!" Sirius exclaimed. "This is probably the best gift anyone's ever given me! I love it! How did you know?"
"What did you expect? A flashy gold chain that says 'my sweetheart?' I could exchange it for you if you like." He chuckled and fitted the collar around Sirius' neck, letting his hands lazily roam over the leather and flesh. "Not to seem rude for cutting you off you, but what were you going to tell me?"
Sirius seized him and kissed him strongly on the mouth. He was a fool to think he could he ever let this boy go. "That I love you. That you're the best thing to come into my life since my subscription to Quidditch Quarterly."
"How flattering." Severus lifted Sirius' chin and inspected the way the collar sat just above the muscular boy's collarbone, nestled in the V of his slightly open shirt. Spots of color decorated Severus' cheeks and provoked a deep sigh. "It does suit you. Not surprising since you are more beast than man. Perhaps I should have gotten the leash, too."
"I like where this is going." He reached for Severus, then stopped and pointed his wand at the rafters. "Homenum revelio!"
Severus looked overhead for some sort of reaction. "You expect someone to be hiding in the ceiling?"
"Merely a precaution, against rats. Now, where were we?" Sirius pulled Sirius closer but soon found himself being forcibly shoved backwards.
"Dear, dear, Mr. Black," Severus said in his superior drawl. He pushed the Gryffindor until Sirius' back was pressed against the wall. He looked excited, like a Seeker about to about to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. "You were never taught manners, it seems. You do not interrupt love play for a Quidditch game. Nor should you compare your love for your boyfriend to a bloody sports magazine! It's rude, not to mention very taxing on his ego. Someone really ought to teach you to be more considerate."
Sirius' grinned and feigned worry. "Alas. Who would be willing to teach me such a noble lesson? I am told that I am a poorly student and good tutors are hard to come by."
"Very hard," Severus' voice dropped a notch and Sirius nearly came from that alone. "Nevertheless, a lesson must be learned. For the greater good." He slapped Sirius' hands away and forced them to remain still before kissing and caressing him way down the Gryffindor's body.
"What are you doing?" Sirius gasped hoarsely.
Severus grinned slyly up at him, a new sense of confidence within himself emboldening his features. Sirius was so taken that he leaned forward for another kiss, but was swiftly restrained. Severus was enjoying the sway he held over his lover.
"Dog," Severus whispered, "when will you learn to just shut up?" He slid down to his knees and slowly, with the same maddening discipline he used for everything he did, Severus unbuttoned the trousers and took Sirius into his mouth.
Sirius would never have guessed quiet, reserved Severus capable of such passion. It was a side to the Slytherin that Sirius never knew existed. He did not think that it was possible to love Severus more. He was glad to be proven wrong.
xXx
Sirius returned to the dorm room after dark. The collar was warm and snug under his shirt. He had not seen James or the others in the dinning hall. Also, he couldn't help but notice that the Gryffindor table had been uncommonly quiet. It could only mean that the game had not gone well. The fact that no one even attempted to speak to him only confirmed this theory.
Remus was sitting on the edge of his bed, folding socks into neat little balls. "Sirius, there you are."
"Where've you lads been?" Sirius asked. "How bad was it?"
"James needed a moment after the match," Remus said solemnly. "Exchanged some pretty nasty words with Madame Hootch. He just had to accuse the Hufflepuff Chasers of Haversacking. Can you believe it? Even I could see that it was a false accusation and I was all the way down in the stands. Anyway, James wouldn't give over and Hootch actually had him thrown out of the game."
Sirius fell back onto his bed. "No! Damn that temper of his! Those Hufflepuffs are practically vicars. James must have really been off his head to do something like that. How did the team do without him?"
Remus shook his head. "Hufflepuff won not long after that. It was a disaster. James tried to drown himself in the showers."
"Then it's all over." Sirius wrung his hands through his hair. "The chance for the Cup. Gone."
"It wasn't your fault. Don't go placing blame on yourself, Pad. I've seen you working in Potions class and doing all your detentions without complaint. You're doing everything you can you prove yourself to McGonagall. James will see that too, once he's calmed down a bit. Next year will be better."
"James must want to murder me."
Remus coughed. "He'll come round. It'll take more than something like this to come between us."
"Yeah," Sirius groaned between his fingers and decided to steady himself. "Remy, uh, there's something important I need to tell you. This isn't going to be easy for you to hear, but—"
"Well, there he is."
Both boys turned. James had returned, trailed by a wary-looking Peter. He was still in his uniform and was soaking wet from his drowning attempt.
"Our amazing Chaser," James said in voice heavy with sarcasm. "The Golden Arm of Gryffindor. Have another cozy, little detention while your mates were getting their arses handed to them?"
Best detention ever, Sirius thought, but he wasn't about to admit something like that, least of all to James. "I heard about the match, Prongs. Rotten luck."
"Yeah," James replied in a tone that was his and yet was not his. "Sure could have used your help out there today, but I guess we all know where you'd prefer to be."
"James, that's not fair," said Remus. "Sirius was in detention with Slughorn. It's not like he chose to be there."
"Did he now? Is that how it was, Paddy? You didn't want to be scrubbing cauldrons with Snivellous all afternoon? You weren't just dying to clean frog spawn with the greasy haired sod?"
"Easy on, mate," Sirius lowered his voice in warning. "You're just upset about the game."
"Am I? Well, you seem to know everything nowadays. Must be getting smarter from spending all that time with Snape. Fancy that. Y'know, we've seen so little of you lately it's almost like we don't know you at all. The Sirius I knew would have done anything to get back on the team instead of letting everyone down. But nyuuooh! Apparently, this new Sirius has got more important matters at hand. What'cha think about that, Moony, eh? Eh?"
"James, let's talk about this in private if you're so angry at me." He attempted to put his hand on his friend's shoulder.
James' slapped him off. "No. I think I'd like to talk about it here. I mean, it's not like we keep secrets from our mates, right, Paddy? That would be just awful."
"You've been drinking!"
"So what?" James tightened his face. "Peter snuck a bottle of Sherry from the kitchens. Meant to be for the victory party. Still got use for it, anyway."
"Let's talk, James." Sirius again tried to take his friend by the arm. "Alone. Not like this."
"Get your filthy, queer hand off of me!" James shoved Sirius away. "It's like I don't even know you anymore! There's this thing standing where my best friend used to be. This pathetic, whipped thing that likes crawling on the ground for some Slytherin asshole."
"That's enough!" Sirius yelled. "Quit acting like a berk."
"Let me ask you, did you even try to get out of you ban, or were you too busy amusing yourself with your whore?"
Before his brain could comprehend a rational alternative, Sirius punched James in the face as hard as he could. "Don't you ever call him that again!" he shouted over the heap of red and yellow robes.
"What's going on?" Remus said. "Why are you fighting? You're friends."
"Friends, eh?" James spat blood on Sirius' trainers. "Maybe you'd like to know that your so-called friend has been snogging your favorite pet snake."
Sirius froze. Remus tried to smile it off but could not. "What? You're having a go at me. Sirius?"
James continued. "Wormtail saw them going at it like weasels in the Potions lab. And it's been going on for almost two months now! How's that for the true friendship, eh Pad, old pal?"
"Merlin, it can't be true?" Remus stared at Sirius. All the color had drained away from his face. "Did you really kiss my sweet Severus?"
"I didn't intend for it to happen. Honest," Sirius said, palms up in surrender.
James scoffed. "So you just tripped and happen to fall on his lips? A hundred times?"
"Shut up, James!" Sirius shouted. "Why'd you have to open your big mouth?"
"Why did you have to kiss my boyfriend?" Remus snapped.
"Severus is not your boyfriend!" Sirius threw back.
"He was going to be! But you swooped in and stole him! Like a… a big… swooping thing!"
"I didn't steal him! He made up his own mind." Friend or not, Sirius was beginning to get peeved.
"Oh, and I'm sure you weren't slathering on the charm and flexing your biceps in his face every chance you got. How could you do this? You said you were helping me!"
"I was! It started out that way. Then… then things changed."
"You knew I liked him!"
"Well, I started to like him, too."
"I liked him first! So, that change with his appearance. That was all your idea, eh?"
"No. Sorta. I just mentioned his hair could use improving and how brilliant he was at potions and—"
"And you made him change himself for your high standards."
"What? No. It didn't happen like that."
"Some friend you turned out to be!" Remus eyes were dilated and the color of amber. "This was your plan all along! The worst part is you lied to my face about it! After all those talks we had. I bared my soul to you and you turn around and steal my Severus? All those times you said you were talking to him for me, and you were just making sport for yourself. We're you both laughing at me all along?"
"No! He doesn't know a thing about it. It wasn't his idea."
"I liked him even when he had messy hair and was unpopular. You called him Snivellous and threw hexes at him in the hallways! Since when did you even like him?"
"It… it came on so gradually. We started talking and I got to know him better."
"I'll bet you did," Remus said with a nasty undertone. "I thought James was just being crass in the Three Broomsticks, but now I'm wondering if there was some truth in it. So, is it? You two play bitch and hound yet? You get him to bury your bone like a good doggie?"
"Don't you dare talk about Sev like that! He's not that kind of man!" Sirius jabbed him with a finger.
"Uh… excuse me…" Peter said very weakly. "James, shouldn't you, ah, do something?"
Remus shoved Sirius back. "He was my man! You don't deserve him! A big, dumb meathead like you!"
"Maybe you should have done something yourself instead of sending in someone else like a pathetic loser!" Sirius pushed Remus again, harder.
"Uh, fellas?" James stepped in this time. The smugness on his face was now replaced with concern. "Maybe you both should back up a bit."
"You think I'm afraid of you?" Remus bellowed. "You'd have been thrown out of this place years ago if I hadn't let you cheat off of me! Then your parents would cut you off and you wouldn't be able to buy men like Severus Snape for your personal play things!"
"Shut up! He never even noticed you unless you set yourself on fire or had fainting spells!"
"At least I could have an intelligent conversation with him. One that didn't require a picture book and crayons! How he must pity you for being so stupid."
"You think you have more to offer?" Sirius spat, no longer caring what he was saying. He only wanted to hurt. "You grow fur and fangs! You're poisonous! What kind of future could you give anyone?"
Remus made an inhuman snarl in his throat and left for Sirius. The sudden movement knocked Sirius off his feet and sent him crashing into the table. Remus was stronger than a boy his size should normally be. His hands wrapped around Sirius' throat.
"What's this?" Remus' newly elongated claws tore the collar as if it were made of butter. He sniffed the leather. "He gave you this, didn't he? Did you get him to fall in love with you? You lying traitor!" The wolf squeezed the collar so tightly ribbons of blood began to spill from his hand.
"Give that back!" Sirius shouted and pointed his wand at the other boy. "Give it back or I'll curse you into something worse than you already are!"
"What's going on here?" Professor McGonagall stormed in wearing her long nightgown and evening cloak. There are students trying to sleep and they said that it sounds like a war going on in this room. Black! Are you roughhousing again? After that last warning I gave you? Do you want to be in detention until the end of the school year?"
All four boys settled down, their dispute temporarily forgotten.
"This isn't over," Remus hissed. He dropped the remains of the collar at Sirius' feet, the black and red looked like angry scars.
xXx
A/N: According to Quidditch: Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp, Haversacking is a common foul by Chasers that states: "the hand is still on the Quaffle as it goes through the hoop (Quaffle must be thrown)."
The Homenum revelio spell "reveals human presence in the target area." (HP Lexicon)
Just a warning. Things will start to get darker from now this point on. For all the Remus fans out there, he will start to even out the playing field real soon.